2021 Balnaves Chardonnay

Vintage 2021 in Coonawarra was an exceptional season, resulting in wines with profound fruit depth and textural complexity. This fruit was handpicked in late February at 12.4 Baumé from Balnaves’ two Chardonnay blocks. Whole bunch pressed juice was barrel fermented (17% new oak), with half wild ferment and half AWRI 1375 yeast. Eleven months’ lees contact preceded bottling in February 2022. The wine has a complex nose of lemon, chamomile and almond, leading onto an integrated palate with zesty lemon drive. – Jacinta Jenkins, Balnaves